Headlights come and go as they please

Old Dec 10, 2013 | 08:34 AM
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Headlights come and go as they please

I just got a 67 Chrysler Newport Custom and after about 10 minutes of driving my all my headlights go off. They will come back on for a minute then back off. Im not sure where to start looking. I bought a new switch but am not sure how to get to it to replace it.
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 08:45 AM
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The main causes of this is bad connections at the headlight switch connector, which makes heat, and trips the internal breaker, or the breaker itself is getting weak and cycles on/ off. If you've added heavier more modern headlights, this worsens the problem

There are several issues with these old girls, and some of them were built in from the get-go.

The bulkhead connector terminals were never heavy enough, really, for the hi charge current of the ammeter circuit.

Now that these cars are old, several other terminals in the bulkhead connector could very well be damaged as well.

ANY switch/ connector is suspect, as well as grounding. Example, your headlights are grounded to the front rad support by a pigtail from the harness. Both it and the headlamp connectors could be less than great

Last, "generally" these cars were never properly fused. There are several circuits that were under--protected. Ma didn't correct this, really, until about 74

Read some of the articles on this page:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

These in particular:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...p-gauges.shtml

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...adlights.shtml
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 09:10 AM
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Check the dimmer switch
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 02:10 PM
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From: Cobleskill,N.Y.
The most common failure is like TV said is the dimmmer switch. The wires also get very corroided due to the wetness down on the floor...Bill
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 03:15 PM
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Any tips on getting to the dimmer switch? Does the carpet have to be pulled up? I just got this thing a week ago and am having to learn all this very quickly. Headlights are my only safety concern right now
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 04:23 PM
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You may need to remove the kick panel to be able to pull the corner of the carpet up..
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 06:53 AM
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From: Cobleskill,N.Y.
Wow
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 08:21 AM
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that or check your grounds really well. i had one light on my ramcharger wink all the time and i found a bad ground right next to it on the rad support. two seconds with a phillips and no more winking.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by pro-tech
Wow
You must work for Microsoft, because even though your answer was technically correct, it really wasn't very helpful
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Old Dec 12, 2013 | 06:19 AM
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From: Cobleskill,N.Y.
Originally Posted by 440roadrunner
You must work for Microsoft, because even though your answer was technically correct, it really wasn't very helpful
I dont,, but I got caught up in the moment,,My Bad and I apoligize...I forget not everyone is as experienced as you and I...And I'll leave it at that...Bill
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Old Dec 12, 2013 | 10:32 AM
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From: Monrovia SO-CAL (USA)
Newton...
Unhook the power to the battery.
Reach up under the dash. Push the button in the center of the Switch and pull out the headlight **** stem. Remove the retaining nut on the face of the dash.
Pull the switch away from the dash and unplug the wiring harness plug of wires.
Install new switch and re- assumable in the reveres order....
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